Skilled tradesmen can make a great living. Stone masons make a fortune.
I know a guy who is a tree trimmer that made $30,000 in one month. Also a guy who made $1200 a DAY hauling hay during the season for several months.. Let those educated idiots sneer at them all they want. They have no clue what real work is. They can look down at those red necks all they want but I know whose wallets are packed and whose aren’t.
Skilled trade should be the way to go for a number of people. HOWEVER, they need to keep their eyes on eventually starting their business in the skilled trade and developing their management skills. The trades take toll on the body and you don’t want to be 50+ still trying to do the work that the 20-somethings are doing.
Military can be a good option too if the kid is physically fit or willing to become physically fit.